SP fights roaming trap

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Beware of the roaming trap: high rates can make calling and surfing abroad expensive, depending on the mobile subscription.

The roaming thing has been occupying Parliament for quite some time. Stricter rules have been in force for mobile phone providers for almost two years now. For example, roaming data packages may not expire after one month, but must be valid for at least one year. In addition, providers such as Swisscom, Sunrise or Salt must set cost limits. When the limit is reached, you can no longer use the internet, call or text. This is to prevent a nasty surprise on the invoice after a holiday or business trip abroad.

Salt and cheap providers in sight

But SP alderman Nadine Masshardt (38) is not satisfied with that. She criticizes the fact that mobile phone providers can now set the limit themselves.

For example, the default limit for Sunrise is 50 francs and for Swisscom 100 francs. With M-Budget Mobile, Coop Mobile and Wingo, on the other hand, the limit is only 200 francs and with Salt even only 250 francs. That is too much, says Masshardt. She demands that the limit is always a maximum of 100 francs. If you want, you can – as is already the case – set higher or lower.

Of course, the companies are not interested in low limits, as roaming brings them a lot of money, explains de Berner. But the federal government lacks the tools to enforce low limits.

Also SVPers on board

Masshardt’s demand is also popular with parliamentarians from other parties. 27 National Councilors signed the initiative, including a GLP member, a representative of the center and several SVP politicians.

Further demands to counter excessive roaming bills are pending before parliament. Masshardt’s SP colleague Prisca Birrer-Heimo (64) and State Councilor Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter (59) want the law to set an upper limit on roaming charges. The proposals have already been submitted in 2021, but parliament has not yet dealt with them. (lha)

Source:Blick